Academy Rules:

Helmets approved for horseback riding (no bicycle helmets) are mandatory for all Academy exhibitors and all riders must wear appropriate boots.

Saddle Seat attire: KY Jods, boots, shirt and tie. Vest and gloves are optional. Sweaters, sweatshirts, and turtlenecks that do not carry a farm name/logo are permissible in cold weather. No riding coats or derbies.Hunt Seat attire: Hunter style Jods and boots. Shirt and tie/choker. No riding coats. Sweaters, sweatshirts, and turtlenecks that do not carry a farm name/logo are permissible in cold weather.Western Seat attire: Western jeans, long sleeve shirt. Ties and chaps are optional. No western hats.

Mount must be a horse that is regularly used in a lesson program. Braiding is optional. There are not shoeing restrictions. Protective boots are permissible. Horses may cross enter from the regular horse show to academy classes provided these horses are in fact school horses. Definition of a school horse: A horse who is used to teach a number of different riders in any given week, and, whose temperament and manners are suitable for a novice rider. The quality of the animal has no bearing on his eligibility.

Snaffle bridles and full bridles may be used. No neckties on horses.

Riders may not cross enter between divisions (a rider may show in either walk-trot or walk-trot-canter, but not both). A lead line rider may not show off the lead at the same show.

Headers for lead line riders must be at least 18 years of age. Once a rider has shown off the lead, he/she may not return to lead line classes. Once a rider has shown at the canter, he/she may not return to walk-trot classes. In classes that require a posting trot, riders 6 & under shall not be judged on diagonals. "Open" refers to age, and classes may be split.

Once a rider has completed at any level wearing a full suit, they are ineligible to compete in academy classes at any point thereafter. The rider can, however, compete in "Academy Show Rider" classes in the season(s) following the season in which the rider showed wearing a full suit.